Kids
5 homegrown animated characters we love on TV
MUMBAI: Out of all the things a 90s kid would envy a late millennial for, the joy of rooting for a desi cartoon character will probably be somewhere on top. While international animated series still enjoy a major audience patronage, kids today are increasingly preferring home grown shows where their favourite animated characters not only speak their language, but also belong from relatable cultures.
Keeping that in mind, Indiantelevision.com compiled a list of five animated characters, which were conceptualised and launched in India.
Read on…
Bheem from Chhota Bheem
When Green Gold Animation gave India Chhota Bheem in 2008, they weren’t prepared for its overwhelming reception by their tiny tot audience. This comedy adventure series that airs on Pogo gave kids their own little super hero, albeit inspired by Bheem from Indian mythology but delivered in a completely new avatar. With over 360 episodes spread across seven seasons and still running, Chhota Bheem became a household name and kids are happy to embrace him in their lives not only through television, but through various merchandising products as well. Add to that the appeal of a fascinating city like Dholakpur, and you have your perfect fiction series for kids!
Chhota Bheem is easily one of the most popular animated characters for kids on television right now.
Motu and Patlu from Motu Patlu
Adapted from the classic Indian comic strip Lot Pot, this CGI animated series not only raised the bar for animated television series for kids in India but also for slapstick comedy in cartoons. It brought us even closer to the Lot Pot stars Motu and Patlu, whose witty and engaging exchanges would have us in splits in no time.
Comparatively new to hit the television (2012) on Nickelodeon, the characters have already garnered a massive fan following and market for their merchandise. Today, Motu and Patlu not only command a massive fan base in India but enjoy an audience in Pakistan too, where it is also aired.
Kris from Roll No 21
Another innovative take on mythology from a modern day standpoint, Kris is modelled after Lord Krishna, but his ‘just another kid at school’ vibe is what brings him closer to the target audience. Needless to say, Kris appeals to not just the toddlers but also the preteens in the demography. In fact, the show owns its similarity to the mythology by having Kris as an incarnation of Lord Krishna himself. The story also reflects a modern take in Krishna and Kansa’s rivalry, which is shown through Kris’s continuous struggle to thwart Kanishk’s plan.
Shiva from Shiva
The new kid on the block, Nick’s latest original character Shiva has garnered a considerable fan base in just a month since launch. His character design and story backdrop makes him akin to international teenage superhero shows like Ben 10, which were a huge success worldwide. With his cool gadgets and charming appearance he easily stands out as a teen idol in the kids genre on television.
Chote and Bade from 9XM
One can argue that Chote Bade don't have a show to themselves but that doesn't change the fact that they are an iconic pair of animated characters that connected with millions of Indian youth through 9XM. In fact, the animated duo, to some extent, form the channel’s identity as its mascots. They are not only popular onscreen but their offline avatars along with their witty screenplay has often entertained us in various on ground marketing events for the channel as well.
Their concept was an innovative way to keep the audience engaged even during intervals and breaks during segments of show, but eventually Chote and Bade evolved as characters and are considered an important part of the Indian television’s animated character family.
Kids
Mukta Arts and Green Gold ink MOU to animate iconic film IPs
Kalicharan, Karz, Hero, Karma, Ram Lakhan to spawn animated shows plus features.
MUMBAI: When classic hindi movie meets animation, the result is a fresh reel of nostalgia with a cartoon twist. Mukta Arts Ltd. and Green Gold Animation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on animated shows and feature films drawn from Mukta Arts’ four-decade treasure trove of iconic IPs. The partnership taps Mukta’s SGM Animation Studio launched in 2025 as its dedicated animation and games arm and Green Gold’s proven track record in building scalable, homegrown franchises. Creative teams from both sides have already kicked off discussions, with the first project currently in development.
The slate will draw inspiration from landmark Mukta films including Kalicharan, Karz, Hero, Karma, Ram Lakhan, Khalnayak, Saudagar and Iqbal, plus character-led spin-offs from those universes. The aim is to reimagine these stories for today’s young, global audiences while preserving their emotional core.
Green Gold Animation (home of Chhota Bheem) founder and CEO Rajiv Chilaka said, “This partnership with SGM Studios allows us to apply our experience in building long-lasting animation IPs to a truly iconic film catalogue. Together, we aim to create animated worlds that are rooted in these legendary stories, yet designed to connect with today’s young, global audiences.”
Mukta Arts Ltd. filmmaker and founder Subhash Ghai added, “Mukta Arts has always believed in creating stories with lasting emotional value. Through animation, we are extending our IP into a new medium for the next generation.”
In an industry where timeless tales never go out of fashion, this collaboration promises to bring beloved characters back to life with a modern, animated glow proving that some stories are too good to stay in live-action. Stay tuned for the first animated frame to drop.
